Can stacking device



oct. 25, 1960 J. NOWCK 2,957,601

CAN STACKING DEVICE Filed March 24, 1959 l--I l---l-ll;

INVENTOR. JACK NOVICK Bygou 2,9s1g6o1 -CAN sracm'NG DEVICE (Jack Novick, 619 Pauley Drive,` :West Hempstead, N.Y

Filed Mar..24,.1959, Ser. No. 801,608

2 Claims. (Cl. 22m-(9K7.)

'I'his invention relates to the art of can stacking devices and particularly concerns an adapter for holding a plurality of cans in a stacked condition.

In household refrigerators, retail stores and other places where large numbers of cylindrical cans must be stored in a compact array, there has existed for some time a need for a suitable device for holding a plurality of cans stacked in a stable pile. While can stacking devices have been known heretofore, none has been entirely successful because of complex and expensive structure, and difficulty encountered in adjustment and use. The present invention is directed at overcoming the shortcomings of prior known stacking devices and aording several advantages thereover.

It is a rst object of the invention to provide a novel device for holding a plurality of cans in a stacked array.

It is another object of the invention to provide a can stacking device adapted to hold cans of different sizes in stacked array.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a can stacking device adapted to be used lin opening a can removed from a stack of cans.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a plurality of cans held in stacked array and employing devices embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a can stacking device according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the device taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device in an inverted position.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another form of the device embodying the invention.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the device of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of another form of the device.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a plurality of cylindrical cans 10, 12 and 14 disposed in vertically stacked array. Each can has a bead or ange 16 at the bottom end and a similar bead or tlange 18 at the top end. To hold the cans in the stacked array there is provided a ring-shaped member 20, best shown in Figs. 3-5, provided with a cylindrical wall 21 having an outwardly extending shoulder 22 at its bottom end formed to provide an outer depending cylindrical skirt 24. The bottom of wall 21 terminates inwardly below the shoulder United States Patenti() M 2,957,601 Patented Oct. 25, 1960 -i12-.and extendsradially outward .tov provide .an annular fseat-f26-terminating -at the inner cylindrical .side 28 l fofvfskirt 24. #The l.skirt 24' provides` a removable i outer .enclosurefornthe upperflange 18 of each.can"v`vithv the tQpvedge .fofrilange k1`8 abutting the annular seat-26.

-The.bottom `flange164 of each can nestsor seats on r`shoulder 22 and wall 21 -fitting into the llange. If the wall 21 in axial rtlength? is longerthan `the `axial length of kflangeslftthenthe .bottom wall 15- of each can will Test .upontt-he-,t'op edgelZS-of wall21. 'In any case-the can -wi1l. :be removably fheld in axia1f-alignment with the lower can or cans. The member 20 may be made of metal or plastic material.

In Figs. 6-8, the member 20a has a plurality of arcuate elements 30 replacing ywall 21. Each element has an upper curved beveled portion 32 terminating in a ne cutting edge 34. The elements 30 have their cutting edges disposed in a common plane. Their outer walls 21a are longer than the inner axial lengths of flanges 16 of the cans. The cans will be normally supported on the edges 34 without injury to the cans. If it is desired to open any can it will be removed from the stacked array. This will free one of the devices 20a for use as a can opener. The device will be placed on the cans to be opened with the line edges 34 abutting the circular Wall 15 or 17 to be opened and with elements 30 fitting within flange 16 or 18. By striking the flat annular edge 35 of the member 20a, the arcuate blade elements will be forced into the can forming a plurality of spaced arcuate cuts. The member 20L can then be removed from the cuts and turned slightly so that the blade elements overlay the uncut portions of the circular wall. By striking or pressing the member 20a again, the circular partially cut wall will be fully severed and can be removed from the can.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the member 20b has one or more grooves 42 and a ledge 43 formed inwardly of and concentrically with wall 21 and spaced by ridge 45. These grooves and ledge are adapted to receive flanges 16 of cans of different diameters. Shoulder 22a has been radially extended and a plurality of cylindrical ridges 40, 41 are formed thereon in concentric spaced disposition with respect to skirt 24. The ridges and skirt are spaced by circular grooves 44 adapted to receive flanges 18 of dilferent diameters. Thus, the member 201J can be used to stack together cans of different diameters. The member 20b is shown as made of plastic material. It may also be made of metal or other suitable rigid material.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself 'to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letter Patent is:

l. A device for stacking together 4a plurality of cylindrical cans having axially extending ilanges at bottom and top ends thereof, comprising a rigid yring formed with a cylindrical wall having an outer annularshoulder 'formed .at its bottom end, said shoulder having a cylindrical depending skirt, said skirt having an inner side of greater diameter 'than the inner side of said wall to provide ian annular seat :for Va top flange of a cylindrical can, said .wall being being adapted to t into la bottom ange of another cylindrical can, said shoulder having at least one cylindrical rib depending therefrom, said rib .being `disposed concentric with said skirt and spaced therefrom to define 'a groove therebetween, said groove being adapted to receive a flange of one of said cans, said wall having a at top, there being .a groove formed in said at top to receive a flange of a can of smaller diameter than that of said other can. i

2. A device for stacking together a plurality of cylindrical cans having axially extending flanges at bottom and top ends thereof, comprising a rigid ring formed with a plurality of arcuate blades having curved beveled portion formed with arcuate sharp edges, said ring having an annular shoulder extending radially outward from outer bottom ends of said blades, said shoulder having a depending cylindrical skirt, said skirt having an inner side of larger diameter than the inner side of said ring to dene a seat for receiving a top ange of one of said cans, the lengths of said blades from the sharp edges to 15 the bottom ends thereof being equal and Alonger than the axial length of a ange of a can to receive said blades with said edges abutting .a circular wall of the can adjacent the last-named flange.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,119,745 Ingersoll June 7, 1938 10 2,419,616 White Apr. 29, 1947 2,429,958 Liebmann Oct. 28, 1947 `4 FOREIGN PATENTS 541.789 France May 8, 1922 

